The 69-year-old Capello has labelled Mourinho a “great coach” but is convinced he has reached the point now where his influence is starting to become nominal.

“He’s a strategist,” Capello told Gazzetta dello Sport. “In this moment of difficulty, he has asked his club either to back him or sack him. The club have decided to defend him substantially with a statement.

“Mou is a great coach but, after a year and a half, he ruins his players. His lads are also psychologically unable to give him what he wants. His cycles tend to last around this period of time.”

“They don’t have any rhythm, any aggression,” added Capello,

“(Branislav) Ivanovic is not his usual self and the loss of Courtois is a huge blow because lots of the goals Chelsea have conceded would not have gone in had they had their No. 1 goalkeeper.”